Enforcement of the pigeon feeding ban at Mumbai’s kabutarkhanas moved into a more assertive phase on Saturday, as municipal workers, backed by police, began covering the Dadar kabutarkhana with large plastic sheets. The action followed a Bombay High Court order issued on July 31, which permitted physical restrictions at sites known for bird congregation and allowed fines against those violating the directive.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), acting on an earlier July 4 state government instruction, initiated the covering operation around 7 PM. Bamboo scaffolding was set up, and the heritage structure was gradually wrapped in plastic to deter pigeons. The task continued late into the evening, as authorities attempted to implement the court-mandated prohibition.
Health risks posed by large gatherings of pigeons and their droppings were cited as the primary concern behind the ban. The state government has maintained that such practices contribute to unsanitary conditions and airborne diseases, especially in congested urban localities. However, significant opposition has been witnessed on cultural and religious grounds. Many local communities and trusts consider pigeon feeding an act of compassion and religious merit. Legal challenges have also been filed by bird lovers against the implementation of the ban.
Saturday’s action came a day after a failed attempt. On Friday night, civic teams were compelled to retreat after encountering protests from residents and members of the Dadar Kabutarkhana Trust and a neighbouring Jain temple. It was claimed that the civic officials failed to produce a copy of the court’s order, prompting unrest. Over a thousand people had reportedly gathered, and the situation required police intervention to restore order. Subsequently, civic authorities resumed operations after securing written cooperation from the temple and trust. To minimise harm to pigeons on the roads, five individuals were deputed by the temple to monitor the area and keep birds away from traffic. One of them, a homeless man, shared that he was being paid ₹800 along with food for his day-long vigil.
Residents have raised concerns that the birds, deprived of regular feeding, are now growing ill and are vulnerable to being hit by vehicles while sitting on roads. These claims have added to the tension between health-focused policy enforcement and traditional practices. Meanwhile, the BMC fined several individuals on Saturday for feeding pigeons at the site, bringing the total number of penalties issued at Dadar kabutarkhana to 16 since July 15. In Mahim, the first criminal case was registered under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita against unidentified persons for feeding pigeons on L J Road, signalling strict future enforcement.
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